Today
we saw a prophesy fulfilled, today we saw history in the making—time,
marked by a spiritual event envisioned by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta
Saraswati Thakur in 1936, eluded to by Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar-Dev
Goswami Maharaj in 1941, confirmed again by Srila Sridhar Maharaj in
1983 and given direction and impetus by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda-Dev
Goswami Maharaj in the 1990’s until his passing in 2010. Now under the
auspices of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj and due to the hard
work and sacrifice of many dedicated devotees, a delightful flower has
bloomed in West London. The new branch of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math,
the place where the teachings of pure Love of Godhead uniquely
conceived in the heart of Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar-Dev Goswami
Maharaj in the line of Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati
Thakur, Srila Thakur Bhakti Vinod and the Supreme Lord of Love Himself,
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu—will shine and shower upon all.

In
1936 Srila Prabhupad Saraswati Thakur asked our Guru Maharaj, Srila
Sridhar Maharaj to go for preaching in London. At that time,
anticipating the imminent departure of Srila Prabhupad from the world
and knowing that his presence at that parting would be required by
Srila Prabhupad, Srila Guru Maharaj humbly declined his request. “I
cannot understand their intonation and their customs and I do not mix
very easily with others. If you order me I must go but I think your
money will be wasted and you would get a better result if you send
Aprakrita Prabhu.” Aprakrita Prabhu (later Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami
Maharaj) was sent. Still for his whole life following this, Srila Guru
Maharaj considered that preaching in London was his own service,
directed by his Guru Maharaj.

Five years later,
Srila Guru Maharaj came to live at his eternal place of bhajan in Sri
Nabadwip Dham. At that time there was just a small thatched hut where
Srila Guru Maharaj stayed. He entered that hut on the Rathayatra day in
1941 planting a tall bamboo pole and hoisting a flag atop after
composing the following Sanskrit sloka:

“On
the banks of the Ganges in Koladwip, Nabadwip, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat
Math stands resplendent. The flag flies high, singing its glories
around the world. There, the residents chant the glories of Lord
Gauranga and aspire to serve Sri Sri Radha Govinda in the line of Sri
Rupa.”

After reading this sloka one of Guru
Maharaj’s godbrothers questioned, “You have a very small hut and a tall
bamboo pole and a flag. What is the meaning of such a grand sloka?”
Srila Guru Maharaj replied, “You will see in the future what will be.”

In
1983 a handful of aspiring devotees began a small ashram in South East
London. Inspired by the teachings and divine grace of Srila Sridhar
Maharaj we asked him if we could make this the London branch of his
mission. He mercifully replied to us, “My Guru Maharaj wanted that I
would preach in London. I was not able to physically come to London but
if you can make a centre there in the name of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat
Math – London Chapter, I will consider this as a great service to my
Guru Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur.”

With
blessings received we began our attempt. We had no money, no experience
and no real idea how to proceed. We only had the Holy Name, a few
spiritual books and faith in our Srila Guru Maharaj. And we had each
other.

Gradually, with much struggle, tears and
laughter, with much hope and goodwill and the grace of Srila Guru
Maharaj our numbers increased and the mission became established. In
1985 Srila Sridhar Maharaj installed Their Worshipful Lordships Sri Sri
Guru Gauranga Radha Shyamasundar. At that time he said, “I consider the
London Math as another room of my Nabadwip Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.”

Over
the years the location of the London Math moved until in 1996 we
brought the house at 466 Green Street. Many times Srila Govinda Maharaj
visited the London Math and stayed there and he was extremely happy and
satisfied that we had this small centre in the name of Srila Guru
Maharaj. By the grace and hard work of the devotees we managed to pay
off the mortgage and the property was secure.

Still,
Srila Govinda Maharaj felt some dissatisfaction and that
dissatisfaction was that our Math was too small and something more
commensurate with the dignity and position of Srila Sridhar Maharaj if
possible, would be more appropriate. Whenever Srila Govinda Maharaj
visited, our small Math was bursting at the seams. He told us, “We must
try to secure a bigger centre where happily all of our devotees can be
accommodated.”

We
began to look for that bigger centre, especially Sri Govinda Prabhu and
his family took this order of Srila Govinda Maharaj to heart. Now Sri
Govinda Prabhu is Sripad Bhakti Vigraha Nyasi Maharaj and his passion
to fulfil the order of Srila Govinda Maharaj has come to fruition.
Srila Govinda Maharaj engaged Sripad Bhakti Chaitanya Bharati Maharaj
of Russia to lead the search but finally our beloved Godbrother Sripad
Lalita Madhava Prabhu found this property and secured it for the
service of Srila Guru Maharaj. Srila Govinda Maharaj gave an
indication, “If it can be near to the airport, that will be very good.”
As Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj said, “If it were any closer to
the airport we would not need to go through immigration!”

Srimati
Saraswati Devi Dasi, Srila Govinda Maharaj’s personal servitor and
caregiver until his final manifest days with us, moved her family home
to the area of the new centre. Immediately she engaged herself in the
service of the new Math, arranging everything to make it ready,
sacrificing herself and tirelessly working, sometimes with others and
sometimes alone, taking the reins and with much humility showing us the
example of Guru Bhakti. By her efforts we are able to celebrate this
great inauguration festival.

After
the honoured devotees had spoken we moved to the Temple Room for the
darshan and first madhyana-bhoga arati of Sriman Mahaprabhu and Radha
Giridharijiu. Joyful sankirttan followed as Lord Sri Chaitanyadev in
His archa-vigraha manifestation showered His blessings upon the
devotees. He had taken his place as the Lord of the West London Branch
of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, taken possession of His property and
the hearts of those who had assembled to glorify His Holy Name. It was
certainly wonderful, inspiring and happy. “Param Vijayate Sri Krishna
Sankirtanam!”

When the kirtan ended and conch
shell blew, the jaya-dhvani of the Saraswat Gaudiya Sampradaya was
loudly called and answered with enthusiastic “Jaya!”

Still
hearing the echo of the sweet mrdanga and karatals we filed into the
Prasadam Hall and sat to honour the great feast of Maha-Prasadam. I can
scarcely remember so many wonderful dishes served at one time. One
after another, more and more and each more relishable than the last. I
had said to the devotees a few days earlier, “We should make this the
feast to end all feasts. The feast that everyone will remember for
years to come.” Those devotees did not disappoint. Everything was
perfect and then it was served perfectly and with so much grace and
joy. This is the company of devotees that I desire for all my life and
lives to come.

And if that were not enough,
following the feast that would require ordinary people a few days to
digest, the devotees headed by Srila Ashram Maharaj and Srila Trivikram
Maharaj intrepidly journeyed into central London to chant and dance
through the streets bringing the Nagar Sankirttan of Sriman Mahaprabhu
to the fortunate souls of Kali-yuga.

I offer my
obeisance again and again to all the devotees that made this day a
reality and it is my prayer that we can properly represent the unique
treasure of Krishna Consciousness, the Golden Gift of the Golden Lord,
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu revealed by Srila Sridhar Maharaj and spread
all over the world through the generous heart of Srila Govinda Maharaj
and continued today by their sincere followers. May I always remain an
insignificant servant of you all.